UBA Lights Up Lagos Marina In Preparation For Yuletide
Executive Director, Alex Alozie; Deputy Managing Director, Chukwuma Nweke; Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba; Deputy Managing Director, Muyiwa Akinyemi; Executive Directors – Abiola Bawuah and Ugo Nwaghodoh, flanked by Lagos Community Gospel Choir, at the UBA Christmas Light Up and Carol Evening, held at the UBA House and UBA Foundation Roundabout in Marina, Lagos on Monday
The Lagos Marina shone with colour, music and festive magic on Monday night as Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, ushered in the 2025 Christmas season with its annual Light-Up ceremony, a spectacle that transformed the waterfront into a shimmering canvas of thousands of bright lights.
Against the backdrop of twinkling décor stretching across the UBA House and the iconic UBA Foundation Roundabout, crowds gathered to witness the switch-on moment, accompanied by soul-lifting carols from the UBA CFC Choir and the Lagos Community Gospel Choir.
The event, which has become one of Lagos’ most anticipated festive traditions, was graced by the Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, top executives of the bank, staff and customers.
The ceremony was simultaneously replicated across all 24 countries where UBA operates, reinforcing the bank’s vision of unity and shared celebration across continents.
Alawuba, addressing the audience after the choir’s moving performances, described the Light-Up event as a symbol of hope and renewal.
“We are light unto the world, creating an environment of light, of hope, of joy, an environment of love and sharing,” he said. “For us, today officially marks the commencement of the Christmas season — a season of love, hope, and of joy.”
He explained that beyond its colourful display, the Light-Up Ceremony signals the start of UBA’s annual charity outreach within its host communities.
“We are beginning to share love and charity with our neighbours in this environment. Christmas is a period of gift sharing, a period of love, and a flow of charity. This is what UBA promises, and we will reach out to our people who have been with us all through,” he noted.
The evening also offered a visual feast, with UBA executives, including Deputy Managing Directors Chukwuma Nweke and Muyiwa Akinyemi, and Executive Directors Abiola Bawuah, Ugo Nwaghodoh and Alex Alozie — posing alongside the Lagos Community Gospel Choir in a blend of corporate elegance and festive splendour.
Alawuba highlighted the bank’s pan-African identity, noting that the Light-Up tradition has evolved into a global hallmark for the brand.
“UBA is one, everywhere. We operate in 24 countries across four continents. Whatever you see us doing here, we are doing in all our countries of presence. UBA will continue to improve our surroundings, appreciate our customers, and value our staff who have been there for us,” he said.
With over 25,000 employees and more than 45 million customers worldwide, UBA remains one of Africa’s largest financial institutions, operating across Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, France and the United Arab Emirates.
Its annual Christmas Light-Up, now an enduring feature of Lagos’ festive calendar, continues to spread goodwill, strengthen community ties and reaffirm the bank’s commitment to positivity and shared humanity.
